HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II. 16.07.2020.

REST

Readings: Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Psalm 102 and Matthew 11:28-30. 

WHEN WAS OUR LAST RETREAT?

 

While many of us complain of the dark sides of coronavirus pandemic, as nations were short down, people get ill and die, employees losing their jobs, companies facing bankruptcy, schools and churches closed, fears and uncertainties are triggered, there are also bright sides of the pandemic, among which many of us retreat. People had more time to re-evaluate the meaning of life, humanity became the common language for everyone, families that practically had no time for themselves prayed and stayed together. The lockdown gave us moments of rest, but not comparable to the rest Christ meant when he said, “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” In a similar way, Isaiah tells us in the first reading, “My soul yearns for you in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.” Do we seek to have retreat?

 

Literarily, retreat is a signal for military force to withdraw, re-strategize and continue. From the perspective that affects our faith, it is spiritual activity when we temporarily leave behind the usual distractions we all face for a time long enough to allow relaxation and for an inner change to occur: the ongoing conversion of heart that is critical to deepening faith. In view of this that Isaiah resound this prayer to us today, “My soul yearns for you in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.” In a similar vein, Psalm 42 tells us, “Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul yearns for you my God.” When we yearn for God, we will wait for him and wait gladly because we desire him. If we will evaluate ourselves, how many of us still desire and seek God day and night as Isaiah rightly prayed? Do we yearn for God and live contrary to what we are yearning for?

 

The Gospel present to us an invitation to a retreat center, which Christ himself is the moderator. He said, “Come to me, all who are labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He is conscious that life can be weary and burdensome, he is aware of the difficulties and challenges we pass through, the illness in the land, the high rate of unemployment, poverty of our people, the poor level of education, bad governance, and the insecurity in the nation. He is aware of the internal problems in the family, yet Christ does not make any false, easy promises. He tells us, the yoke will remain, as will the burden, but with his help they become easy and light. The difference is made by the presence of Christ who is “gentle and humble of heart.”

 

Dear friends in Christ, we have an invitation to retreat, evaluate ourselves and know where we need improve in our spiritual life. This invitation comes from Christ who called us to come to him, as he has come to us, to relate to him in love, as he has given himself for us in love. He invites us to assist others carry their burden, and not to be burden to others. We pray that God help us to carry every burden that presses heavily on us through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ